But I was reminded of an instance this past fall when I was. You know what’s one of my least favorite things to witness? People in positions of power, authority or supposed trust mocking those who come to them for help, advice, guidance, or wisdom. Last year, there was a pretty striking example of this in Spain, which got a fair amount of attention abroad but received minimal coverage here in the States. It was brought to my attention by Stephanie, and I’d shelved it for a few months since I had a lineup of things to chat about, but it most definitely deserves attention. I will say that this is old news, and I usually try to only post about current events – but it’s only old news in the world of Internet, as it happened a few months ago (September-October 2011). I think the issues it brings up are obviously still relevant and the fact remains that it never should have occurred to begin with.

The Spanish Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published a comic strip in their newsletter depicting images of physicians mocking patients – the physicians are always male gynecologists, and the patients are always female, and always drawn as unattractive with exaggerated features and shown with enlargement of their reproductive organs and functions. The comics mock women for uterine prolapses, for being informed about the birth process, for wanting to following non-interventionist labor procedures, imply that sexual interest is behind a doctor pap-smearing a patient every three months, mock elderly women and portray women with questions as insufferable. The link to the images is here (you will have to select that you want to see the pdf in the upper right corner of the page) – but I want to give warning that the images are graphic and can be extremely insulting. The words are in Spanish, but even if you don’t have elementary skills in the language the images do a pretty sufficient job of getting the message across.

There was obvious outcry, and petitions passed by many, to denounce the comics and ask them to be removed. But I remain absolutely flabbergasted that these were ever drawn at all, much less published by an organization that ostensibly commits itself to women’s and maternal health. Communicating with one’s physician is difficult enough for many people (men and women alike), and by publishing this, the SSOG has confirmed what are the worst fears of many – that their doctor doesn’t respect them, thinks they are foolish, thinks that their reproductive health needs are disgusting or gross, assumes sexual activity equals promiscuity, dismisses them if they have questions or are informed, that their doctor finds alternative therapies laughable and unsound, and that they as patients do not deserve to be treated with dignity – not to mention reinforcing the age-old stereotype of male gynecologists being driven by sexual interest instead of scientific, medicinal inquiry (and in this instance, the woman on the receiving end of a doctor’s inappropriate pursuits lauds HPV as a virus community comprised of an elite ‘club’ of women who are sexually active). It is particularly trying that the implications of the gender binary here was so clear – the males were the physicians, in charge, in the know, firmly in the power position, and the females were weak, uninformed, unaware, and their reproductive health was repellent and the stuff of slapstick humor. It’s just an egregious example of an abusive power dyad.

This kind of impression can completely shut down any channels of communication, limiting the physician-patient relationship in its ability to be a health education opportunity, an encouraging behavior change environment, and most importantly, a place of trust and confidence. I wanted to highlight this issue mainly because of these points – that the physician-patient relationship has always had real promise, but that it cannot be effective if it isn’t mutually respectful and the patients aren’t seen as worthy of having dignity. That this was published in 2011 is to me a devastating indication of how in some areas, this seems very far off.

6 responses to “I’m Rarely Speechless.”

First of all, you’re right: the drawings are a shame. Second, I’m spanish, I’m a male and I’m a medical doctor. Three reasons to feel ashamed today. Moreover, the comic strips do not represent the spirit, the words or the reality of common professionals I deal everyday. Toda; real facts are that from my age (47) downwards, the medical profession in my country is occupied mainly by women, because of their better achievements during their elementary school. Unfortunately, it remains a tradition you portrait in some. I wonder how they maintain such a relevance. The author of the comic strip is always the same. Maybe he’s got a special personal relationship with an influent member of the Society. Anyways, you’re right: today I feel ashamed. But specially, for how these people can sustain power or representative positions in my country whenever real facts run the other way round.

Federico, thanks so much for your reply. Certainly most physicians shot these images down as offensive and wildly inappropriate, and that’s one reason I was so surprised they got published at all – another reason was what you mentioned about women dominating the field of OB/GYN. It’s so remarkable to me that despite these facts, this got published. I certainly don’t think someone who condemns these images should feel ashamed because they are an OB, male, and Spanish – especially since you vocally oppose them – thank you for speaking out! Keep fighting the good fight, and thanks again for your input.

I wish I could say I am surprised, but I used to work in a women’s health clinic and…let’s just say that some of the medical staff could be very brutal. Not all, mind you. Most of the doctors, nurses and medical assistants were professional and courteous. But the ones who weren’t…it was tough to listen to.

When I click on the link for the comic I get an error message. Has it been taken down or moved ? It sounds very offensive and terrible — and a horrible shock to any woman who has tried to put their trust (and health and life) in the hands of a doctor. Very upsetting.